Kartavya Path historical timeline

The avenue has carried three names and three political meanings without losing its axial form. Kingsway projected imperial government, Rajpath framed the republic, and Kartavya Path recast the same landscape through a 2022 redevelopment.

Chronology

1. 1911 Britain announces the transfer of its Indian capital to Delhi. The decision creates the need for a new ceremonial and administrative axis at Raisina Hill.
2. 1910s–1931 Edwin Lutyens and the capital project shape Kingsway between the Viceroy’s House and the war memorial. The long east–west vista remains the avenue’s defining structure.
3. 1931 New Delhi formally opens. Kingsway links the completed government precinct to India Gate across lawns and water channels.
4. 1947 India becomes independent. The avenue is renamed Rajpath and the former imperial route becomes a stage for the new state.
5. 1950 India becomes a republic. The 26 January parade develops into the avenue’s principal annual ceremonial use.
6. 2021 Reconstruction closes and reshapes sections of the avenue under the Central Vista programme. New services and circulation are inserted beneath the historic axis.
7. 8 September 2022 The redesigned avenue opens as Kartavya Path. Renewed lawns, paths, lighting, bridges, amenities, underpasses and parking define the present public realm.

Continuity and change

The basic relationship between Raisina Hill and India Gate survives. That continuity allows the original capital plan to remain legible even though the names, ceremonies and political institutions changed.

The 2022 works are visible at pedestrian level rather than in the distant vista. New paving, bridges, service zones and underpasses organise everyday use while the broad axis continues to carry parades and state ceremony.

• Official website
• Wikipedia